[Digital Today reporter Jin-ho Lee (이진호)] The government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to develop quantum technology as a next-generation national growth engine. It plans to lead the post-AI era by becoming the world’s No. 1 quantum chip manufacturing nation by 2035, training 10,000 quantum specialists and securing 2,000 quantum companies.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on Jan. 29 in Seoul the first comprehensive plan to foster quantum science and technology and the quantum industry, along with the first master plan for quantum clusters.

The comprehensive plan is the government’s first mid- to long-term national strategy for the quantum sector. A key point is to link it to industrialisation, rather than leaving it at R&D. With semiconductor and ICT infrastructure closely tied to quantum technology, the government will actively foster quantum technology as a new industrial pillar.

◆ Independent development of full-stack quantum computers... raise 2,000 quantum firms by 2035

In quantum computing, the government will pursue independent development of a domestically made “full-stack quantum computer”. It will push a manufacturing grand challenge to accelerate development of an entry-level, full-stack quantum computing system. It will also strengthen competitiveness through a competition of industrial-use cases that combine quantum and AI to solve industry challenges in areas such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals and finance. It will build a hybrid infrastructure linking quantum computers, high-performance computers and AI to create an environment researchers can use freely.

In quantum communications and sensors, the focus is on early commercialisation. It will build a nationwide quantum-encrypted communications network and expand demonstrations starting with high-security fields such as defence and finance. The goal is to gradually expand the scope of demonstrations for quantum key distribution, or QKD, infrastructure.

A ministry official said, “We will expand pilot transitions for major national industries so that the national cryptography system can be swiftly converted at the same time as the completion of post-quantum cryptography (PQC).” The ministry also plans to provide expert consulting to help companies and institutions shift to PQC.

For quantum sensors, it will select tasks that can be commercialised early in areas such as healthcare and defence and provide focused support from prototype production through commercialisation. It will develop next-generation ultra-high-sensitivity sensor technology that maximises detection precision using quantum light sources such as quantum entanglement and squeezed light.

The government will also step up talent development. Centering on AI gifted schools and quantum graduate schools, it will produce 100 core talents a year and open an era of 10,000 quantum specialists by 2035. It plans to train specialist engineers through quantum-focused engineering curricula and industry-academia links, and also provide case-based, problem-solving practical training.

To avoid leaning toward short-term results, it will introduce a 30-year long-term “strategic basic research system”. Through this, it will push a personal quantum computer, new qubit implementation technologies and an expansion of quantum-sector programmes at IBS. The ministry also plans to establish a National Quantum Research Institute that brings together domestic quantum capabilities across all areas of quantum technology - computing, communications and sensors - as well as industry, academia and research institutions and key national infrastructure.

It will expand seed investment for quantum ventures and startups to foster 2,000 quantum companies by 2035. The ministry also set targets of strengthening a global cooperation system and reaching third in the world in adoption of international standards so that domestic technology can become global standards.

◆ Quantum clusters to be designated, linked to regional specialised industries

Under the first master plan for quantum clusters, the ministry will designate quantum clusters in 5 major areas by 2030 linked to regional specialised industries. The goal is to create “quantum transformation (QX)” hubs where advanced industries and quantum technologies converge, focusing on quantum computing, communications, sensors, materials-parts-equipment and algorithms. Through tailored strategies and incentives by company, it will attract overseas firms and develop them into global quantum hubs. The ministry will prepare guidelines in February for establishing quantum cluster development plans and, after an open call in the first half, will make a final selection of regions in July.

It will also cooperate with leading overseas companies. The ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on the day with IonQ, described as a global quantum computer company. Through this, it will pursue cooperation on establishing a joint research centre in South Korea and investments of $5 million a year for 3 years. It will introduce a quantum computer into South Korea and build a hybrid research environment linked to the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) supercomputer.

The ministry also launched a “quantum technology consultative body” involving national champion companies by sector, including manufacturing (Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics), telecommunications (SKT and KT), finance (KB and Shinhan) and defence (Hanwha and LIG). The body plans to focus on solving industry challenges with quantum technology and creating an early market in the quantum field. Vice Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Kyung-hoon Bae (배경훈) said in remarks at the launch ceremony, “I hope the consultative body becomes a practical starting point for creating tangible results across various fields.”

In a subsequent comprehensive discussion, participating companies discussed their outlook for quantum technology and industry, government support for infrastructure, talent and R&D, and strategies to create an early domestic market for quantum technology.

Bae said, “Quantum technology is a disruptive innovation technology that will determine national competitiveness in the post-AI era,” adding, “Through this comprehensive plan and the master plan for quantum clusters, we will push forward so that South Korea can leap into a central hub of global quantum technology and industry.”